1st Horison Scouts achieve top award
Two scouts from the 1st Horison Scouts Group received the highest honour a scout can achieve.
Achieving the top award as a scout is no easy task, but Ruan de Weerd (18) and Jordan-Leigh Timmerman (16) succeeded.
Both 1st Horison Scouts fulfilled all requirements for the Springbok Award, the highest honour that any South African scout can obtain. The award is given to those who complete all the requirements before their 18th birthday.
Being a Springbok means that one has learned to give back to the community. It is equivalent to the UK’s Queen Scout Award and the USA’s Eagle Scout Award. A qualifying Scout has completed at least 40 hours of community service, lead a hike of over 30 kilometres and planned and constructed a large pioneering project, amongst other tasks.
“When I made the decision to pursue the Springbok award I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but it was an achievement I was willing to chase,” said Ruan.
“The requirements test everything you have learnt throughout your scouting career … the standard is set high and tests your ability as a leader and scout.
“It’s challenging but it provides many great memories.”
Ruan said his favourite part of pursuing the award was the hike that he had to organise and lead, which he held at the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. He built a four-metre high structure resembling a rhino to raise awareness of rhino poaching.
“Throughout the challenges I learned a lot about myself and it helped me improve my skills.”
Jordan-Leigh also explained the journey as a rewarding experience. She completed her community work at an early development centre and lead her hike in Pilgrim’s Rest where they followed the Prospector’s Trail that was 37km long and spanned over four days. Although she had some difficulty initially, she also constructed a six-metre tall Christmas tree with the support of other scouts, scouters (adult helpers and supervisors) and parents.
“I have learned how to cope in difficult and stressful situations, I have learned how to see the way around them.
“Overall it has been an amazing experience with more support from everyone – my family, the scouts, their parents and our scouters – than I ever could have wished for.”
The 1st Horison Scout Group expressed their congratulations to the two achievers. For more information on the 1st Horison Scouts Group contact Liesl on 082 4415 770. For more information on the 1st Horison Cubs contact Jaco on 082 374 2184.
